What I love most about maternity leave, of course, is adding a new family member to love. It’s crazy how a person that’s been rolling around in your belly takes human form. At first they’re a complete stranger, but slowly morph into the person that you know and love most.

But there are other parts of maternity leave that are most special. I crave sundown, a time when we all nestle in, wearing pj’s, catch up on new episodes of Big Bang Theory and old Christmas favorites, and eat dinner together. We have a great nurturing bedtime routine, with baths, lavender massages, swaddling, stories and quiet music. I just love that time with them.

I’m also beyond blessed to have a little girl that’s pretty easy to please. She loves to watch me work out in the mornings and listen to the shower. See that? I’m actually able to work out and shower, a few luxuries I know I cannot take for granted since it know many mom’s don’t get the opportunity to do one of those things, let alone both.

I’m also blessed with a pretty good sleeper. With such a content baby, I’m able to work on some projects that I didn’t get to with a 40hr workweek. Like this plaid quilt for my little boy. Whenever the baby is content in her bouncy chair, I’ve been able to stitch a row or two. My hope is that it will be near completion when I go back to work. After all, tis the season for cozy blankets.

When Rayna fell asleep in her car seat the other day, I stuck around at the coffee shop to catch up on some reading for my personal training ceu’s. I love our snuggle time, but I also enjoy those few moments when I can sneak away and work on something I’m passionate about.